Today is the tenth anniversary of the covenant Anna and I made to God and one another at about 11:00 a.m., one Saturday morning in Joplin, Missouri at the Blendville Christian Church. My mentors and friends, Kyle Gardner and J K Jones, were celebrants. Today is the more special because it is shared with the new gift of life God has given us in Sofie. Who, by the way, is already four weeks old today!
My bountiful God I beseech thee, listen to my humble prayer that I may ever feel that the married state is holy and I must keep it holy. Grant thy grace that I may never sin against the love and faithfulness of this marriage. Foster between us a spirit of peace and understanding that no strife, quarrel or misunderstanding may arise between us. Grant us health and our daily bread whereby we may serve thee more.
Today is also the feast day of our Holy Mother of God, Theodora of Alexandria, who, because there were no monasteries for women in her region, disguised herself as a man and lived, strove and prayed among male monks till her death. Only on her death was it discovered that she was a woman.
Troparion of St Theodora Tone 3
Thou didst offer thy life as a holy gift, O righteous Theodora:/ for radiant with the light of repentance thou didst illumine mankind./ Pray to Christ Who has glorified thee/ to grant us His great mercy.
Kontakion of St Theodora Tone 2
Thou didst spend thy life in fasting and prayer/ and entreat forgiveness of thy sin:/ and thou didst receive it and show us the way of repentance,/ O righteous Mother Theodora.
Holy Mother Theodora, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven. And pray for Anna and I that our marriage would be an icon of Christ and his Church, and serve for the salvation of our own souls and of the soul of our daughter, Sofie. Amen.
Posted by Clifton at September 11, 2003 07:05 PM | TrackBack